Chinese stocks fell sharply in early trade on Thursday, tracking a broad selloff in global markets as stronger-than-expected US inflation data fuelled concerns that interest rates could remain elevated for longer.
The Shanghai Composite Index dropped 1.5%, while the blue-chip CSI300 Index declined 1.7%. Technology stocks led the losses, with the tech-focused STAR50 Index plunging 3.9% and the ChiNext Composite Index, which tracks growth-oriented companies, falling 3.1%.